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Thursday, November 26, 2015

Vatican City, 26 November 2015 (VIS) –
The clear relationship between the protection of nature and
constructing a just and equitable social order, the aspirations of
the young and a fair distribution of natural and human resources were
the central themes of Pope Francis' first discourse in Africa
yesterday.

The Holy Father spoke in the presence
of President Uhuru Kenyatta, the authorities and representatives of
the political, economic and cultural spheres, in the gardens of the
State House, the president's residence in Nairobi, Kenya.

Kenya, he said, “is a young and
vibrant nation, a richly diverse society which plays a significant
role in the region. In many ways your experience of shaping a
democracy is one shared by many other African nations. Like Kenya,
they too are working to build, on the solid foundations of mutual
respect, dialogue and cooperation, a multi-ethnic society which is
truly harmonious, just and inclusive”.

“Yours too is a nation of young
people. … The young are any nation’s most valuable resource. To
protect them, to invest in them and to offer them a helping hand, is
the best way we can ensure a future worthy of the wisdom and
spiritual values dear to their elders, values which are the very
heart and soul of a people”.

“Kenya has been blessed not only with
immense beauty, in its mountains, rivers and lakes, its forests,
savannahs and semi-deserts, but also by an abundance of natural
resources. The Kenyan people have a strong appreciation of these
God-given treasures and are known for a culture of conservation which
does you honour. The grave environmental crisis facing our world
demands an ever greater sensitivity to the relationship between human
beings and nature. We have a responsibility to pass on the beauty of
nature in its integrity to future generations, and an obligation to
exercise a just stewardship of the gifts we have received. These
values are deeply rooted in the African soul. In a world which
continues to exploit rather than protect our common home, they must
inspire the efforts of national leaders to promote responsible models
of economic development”.

“In effect, there is a clear link
between the protection of nature and the building of a just and
equitable social order”, the Holy Father emphasised. “There can
be no renewal of our relationship with nature, without a renewal of
humanity itself. To the extent that our societies experience
divisions, whether ethnic, religious or economic, all men and women
of good will are called to work for reconciliation and peace,
forgiveness and healing. In the work of building a sound democratic
order, strengthening cohesion and integration, tolerance and respect
for others, the pursuit of the common good must be a primary goal.
Experience shows that violence, conflict and terrorism feed on fear,
mistrust, and the despair born of poverty and frustration.
Ultimately, the struggle against these enemies of peace and
prosperity must be carried on by men and women who fearlessly believe
in, and bear honest witness to, the great spiritual and political
values which inspired the birth of the nation”.

Addressing the country's political,
cultural and economic leaders, he remarked that “the advancement
and preservation of these great values is entrusted in a special way”
to them. “This is a great responsibility, a true calling, in the
service of the entire Kenyan people. The Gospel tells us that from
those to whom much has been given, much will be demanded. In that
spirit, I encourage you to work with integrity and transparency for
the common good, and to foster a spirit of solidarity at every level
of society. I ask you in particular to show genuine concern for the
needs of the poor, the aspirations of the young, and a just
distribution of the natural and human resources with which the
Creator has blessed your country. I assure you of the continued
efforts of the Catholic community, through its educational and
charitable works, to offer its specific contribution in these areas”.

“I am told that here in Kenya it is a
tradition for young schoolchildren to plant trees for posterity. May
this eloquent sign of hope in the future, and trust in the growth
which God gives, sustain all of you in your efforts to cultivate a
society of solidarity, justice and peace on the soil of this country
and throughout the great African continent. I thank you once more for
your warm welcome, and upon you and your families, and all the
beloved Kenyan people, I invoke the Lord’s abundant blessings”.

Vatican City, 26 November 2015 (VIS) –
This morning in the apostolic nunciature in Nairobi the Holy Father
met with the heads of different Christian confessions (Anglican,
Evangelical, Methodist, Pentecostal, and others) and of other
religions (Animist, Muslim), along with seven other figures involved
in the promotion of interreligious dialogue. The Pope spoke about the
challenges presented by interreligious encounters, emphasising that
ecumenical and interreligious dialogue is not a luxury, but rather
“essential, something which our world, wounded by conflict and
division, increasingly needs”.

“Indeed, religious beliefs and
practice condition who we are and how we understand the world around
us”, he continued. “They are for us a source of enlightenment,
wisdom and solidarity, and thus enrich the societies in which we
live. By caring for the spiritual growth of our communities, by
forming minds and hearts in the truths and values taught by our
religious traditions, we become a blessing to the communities in
which our people live. In democratic and pluralistic societies like
Kenya, cooperation between religious leaders and communities becomes
an important service to the common good. In this light, and in an
increasingly interdependent world, we see ever more clearly the need
for interreligious understanding, friendship and collaboration in
defending the God-given dignity of individuals and peoples, and their
right to live in freedom and happiness”.

He continued, “By upholding respect
for that dignity and those rights, the religions play an essential
role in forming consciences, instilling in the young the profound
spiritual values of our respective traditions, and training good
citizens, capable of infusing civil society with honesty, integrity
and a world view which values the human person over power and
material gain. Here I think of the importance of our common
conviction that the God whom we seek to serve is a God of peace. His
holy Name must never be used to justify hatred and violence. I know
that the barbarous attacks on Westgate Mall, Garissa University
College and Mandera are fresh in your minds. All too often, young
people are being radicalised in the name of religion to sow discord
and fear, and to tear at the very fabric of our societies. How
important it is that we be seen as prophets of peace, peacemakers who
invite others to live in peace, harmony and mutual respect! May the
Almighty touch the hearts of those who engage in this violence, and
grant His peace to our families and communities”.

The Holy Father recalled that this year
marks the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican
Council, “at which the Catholic Church committed herself to
ecumenical and interreligious dialogue in the service of
understanding and friendship. I wish to reaffirm this commitment,
which is born of our conviction of the universality of God’s love
and the salvation which He offers to all. The world rightly expects
believers to work together with people of good will in facing the
many problems affecting our human family”. He concluded, “As we
look to the future, let us pray that all men and women will see
themselves as brothers and sisters, peacefully united in and through
our differences. Let us pray for peace”.

Vatican City, 26 November 2015 (VIS) –
Following the ecumenical and interreligious meeting, the Pope
transferred to the University of Nairobi where he was awaited by
around one million people. He celebrated Holy Mass in the same place
as St. John Paul II during his trips to Africa in 1980, 1985 and
1995. “The Lord tells us that in the desert He will pour forth
water on the thirsty land; He will cause the children of His people
to flourish like grass and luxuriant willows. We know that this
prophecy was fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at
Pentecost. But we also see it fulfilled wherever the Gospel is
preached and new peoples become members of God’s family, the
Church. Today we rejoice that it was fulfilled in this land. Through
the preaching of the Gospel, you too we have all become part of the
great Christian family”.

Francis commented that Isaiah’s
prophecy invites us to look to our own families, and to realise how
important they are in God’s plan. “Kenyan society has long been
blessed with strong family life, a deep respect for the wisdom of the
elderly and love for children”, he said. “The health of any
society always depends on the health of its families. For their sake,
and for the good of society, our faith in God’s word calls us to
support families in their mission in society, to accept children as a
blessing for our world, and to defend the dignity of each man and
woman, for all of us are brothers and sisters in the one human
family”.

“In obedience to God’s word, we are
also called to resist practices which foster arrogance in men, hurt
or demean women, do not care for the elderly and threaten the life of
the innocent unborn. We are called to respect and encourage one
another, and to reach out to all those in need. Christian families
have this special mission: to radiate God’s love, and to spread the
life-giving waters of his Spirit. This is especially important today,
for we are seeing the growth of new deserts created by a culture of
materialism selfishness and indifference to others”.

The Pope made a special appeal to the
young people of the nation: “Let the great values of Africa’s
traditions, the wisdom and truth of God’s word, and the generous
idealism of your youth guide you in working to shape a society which
is ever more just, inclusive and respectful of human dignity. May you
always be concerned for the needs of the poor, and reject everything
that leads to prejudice and discrimination, for these things, we
know, are not of God”.

He remarked that Jesus, “wants all of
us to build our lives on the firm foundation of His word. And that is
the charge which the Lord gives to each of us. He asks us to be
missionary disciples, men and women who radiate the truth, beauty and
life-changing power of the Gospel. Men and women who are channels of
God’s grace, who enable His mercy, kindness and truth to become the
building blocks of a house that stands firm. A house which is a home,
where brothers and sisters at last live in harmony and mutual
respect, in obedience to the will of the true God, Who has shown us,
in Jesus, the way to that freedom and peace for which all hearts
long”.

“Stand strong in faith! Do not be
afraid, for you belong to the Lord”, he concluded. “Mungu
awabariki! God bless you! Mungu abariki Kenya! God bless Kenya!”.

Vatican City, 26 November 2015 (VIS) –
Today in the in the Palace of the Governorate, a Memorandum of
Understanding was signed by the Governorate of Vatican City State and
the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism of the
Italian Republic on cooperation in the protection and enhancement of
cross-border UNESCO site, the “Historic centre of Rome, the
extraterritorial properties of the Holy See in the city and St. Paul
Outside-the-Walls”, registered in the World Heritage List.

The Memorandum was signed on behalf of
the Holy See by Bishop Fernando Vergez Alzaga, L.C., general
secretary of the Governorate of Vatican City State, and for the
Italian Republic by Antonia Pasqua Recchia, general secretary of the
Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism.

Given that the cross-border site,
“Historic centre of Rome, the extraterritorial properties of the
Holy See in the city and St. Paul Outside-the-Walls” necessarily
involves both Italy and the Holy See, each in accordance with its own
jurisdiction, the Memorandum of Understanding, notwithstanding
reciprocal competences and in compliance with its legislation, the
Parties undertake to continue their cooperation in the protection and
enhancement of the site, as well as the conservation of its
exceptional universal value, as established in the Convention
Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, and
the related guidelines.

To reach these objectives, this
agreement also institutes a permanent body for mutual cooperation,
the “Cross-Border Coordination Group”, to whom the competences of
coordination, monitoring, information and the enhancement of the site
are conferred.